Storm Solutions That Actually Work

Look, we've been doing this for years on Canada's coast, and honestly? Mother Nature doesn't mess around. Neither do we. Here's what we've learned the hard way so you don't have to.

Storm resistant structure

The Real Deal About Coastal Building

We're not gonna sugarcoat it - building on the coast is tricky business. Wind loads that'll rip off poorly fastened roofing, salt spray that eats through regular materials like candy, and storm surges that... well, you get the picture.

After dealing with everything from minor squalls to full-blown Pacific storms, we've developed systems that don't just meet code - they exceed it by a mile. Because let's face it, your home needs to be standing long after the insurance adjuster leaves.

Every project we take on gets the full treatment: detailed site analysis, wind tunnel modeling (yeah, we actually do that), material testing, and structural engineering that'd make a bunker jealous.

Core Protection Systems

These aren't add-ons - they're built into every design from the ground up

Wind-Load Engineering

We're talking about structures designed for 180+ km/h winds. Special fastening systems, reinforced connections, aerodynamic profiles - the works.

  • Hurricane straps & ties
  • Impact-resistant glazing
  • Reinforced roof assemblies

Water Intrusion Barriers

Multi-layer defense against water getting where it shouldn't. Because once water finds a way in, you're looking at rot, mold, and a whole lot of headaches.

  • Advanced drainage systems
  • Marine-grade sealants
  • Redundant flashing details

Material Durability

Salt air destroys regular building materials faster than you'd think. We only spec materials that've proven themselves in marine environments.

  • Corrosion-resistant metals
  • Treated lumber systems
  • UV-stable finishes

Flood Mitigation

Elevated foundations, strategic grading, and breakaway walls where needed. We design for the 100-year storm, then add margin on top of that.

  • Raised floor elevations
  • Proper site drainage
  • Sacrificial lower levels

Foundation Anchoring

Your house is only as good as what it's sitting on. Deep pilings, reinforced concrete, and tie-down systems that connect roof to foundation.

  • Helical pier systems
  • Continuous load paths
  • Seismic reinforcement

Storm-Ready Systems

Backup power integration, storm shutters, and utility systems designed to handle temporary outages without major issues.

  • Generator provisions
  • Protected utility entries
  • Emergency access routes

Real Projects, Real Results

We've weathered some serious storms with our designs - literally. Here's what happens when theory meets reality on the BC coast.

Storm tested house

Case Studies

Tofino residence

Tofino Cliff Residence

Challenge: Client wanted floor-to-ceiling glass facing the Pacific, on a site that gets hammered by winter storms with winds over 150 km/h.

Solution: We designed a reinforced concrete shell with impact-rated glazing systems and external storm shutters. The whole structure's aerodynamic profile actually deflects wind around it rather than catching it head-on.

Result: Three years in, including two major winter storms, and the house hasn't had a single leak or structural issue. The owners rode out the 2024 December storm inside without even losing power (thanks to the integrated backup system).

150+ km/h wind rating Impact-resistant glass Zero storm damage
White Rock house

White Rock Waterfront

Challenge: Rebuilding an older beach house that'd been damaged in previous storms. Site's in a flood zone, with storm surge history reaching 2.5m above normal high tide.

Solution: Full elevation on helical pilings, breakaway lower walls for garages, and a continuous tie-down system from foundation through roof structure. Added redundant water barriers at every level.

Result: The January 2025 king tide event that flooded neighboring properties? This house didn't get a drop inside. The breakaway walls did their job, water flowed through without damaging the structure, and the owners were back in within 48 hours.

Elevated 3.5m Flood-tested design Quick recovery
Heritage restoration

Heritage Marina Building

Challenge: Historic 1920s structure right on the water, gorgeous but falling apart. Had to maintain exterior appearance while making it storm-worthy.

Solution: Hidden internal reinforcement, replaced all materials with marine-grade equivalents that looked identical, upgraded foundation without disturbing the exterior. Basically rebuilt the entire thing from the inside out.

Result: Looks exactly the same, but now it'll outlast buildings built 50 years later. Heritage designation maintained, insurance costs dropped by 40%, and it's now actually safe to occupy during storm season.

Heritage preserved Modern protection 40% insurance savings

Our Design Process

No cookie-cutter solutions here - every site's different

01

Site Analysis

We spend time on your actual property - checking wind patterns, water flow, soil conditions. Can't design what you don't understand.

02

Engineering Review

Structural engineers crunch the numbers - wind loads, seismic factors, all that fun stuff. Math doesn't lie.

03

Design Integration

We make all the protective systems work with the design, not against it. Your home should look good and be bulletproof.

04

Construction Oversight

Details matter - a lot. We're on site regularly making sure everything's built exactly as designed. No shortcuts.

What Makes Us Different

We Actually Live Here

This isn't theoretical for us - we're on the BC coast dealing with the same weather your house will face. When we say something works, it's because we've tested it in real conditions.

No Generic Solutions

Every property gets a custom approach. A site in Tofino needs different solutions than one in White Rock. We don't do copy-paste architecture.

Long-Term Thinking

We design for 50+ year lifespans, factoring in climate change and sea-level rise. Your grandkids should be able to live in this house.

Honest About Costs

Storm-resistant construction costs more upfront - we won't BS you about that. But it's way cheaper than rebuilding after a storm, or dealing with constant repairs.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Building on the coast doesn't have to be a gamble. Let's figure out what your site needs and design something that'll last.

Free initial consultation - we'll come out, look at your property, and give you honest feedback about what's realistic and what's not.

Get Started

Common Questions

Typically adds 15-25% to construction costs, depending on the site and protection level needed. But here's the thing - insurance savings, avoided repairs, and peace of mind usually pay that back within 10 years. Plus your resale value goes way up when buyers see proper storm protection.

Yeah, we do retrofits all the time. It's more challenging than new construction but definitely doable. We start with a detailed assessment to figure out what's already there, then develop a plan that works with your budget. Sometimes it makes sense to do it in phases.

Design phase usually takes 3-4 months for residential projects - we don't rush the engineering. Construction timeline depends on size and complexity, but figure 12-18 months for a full custom home. We try to schedule major work outside storm season when possible.

We cover the entire BC coast, from Victoria up to Prince Rupert. Travel costs get added for remote sites, but if you're building on the coast, we'll make it work. We've done projects on some pretty isolated islands and it's always worth it.

We bake sustainability into everything. Storm-resistant design actually goes hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility - durable buildings don't need constant replacement. We use locally-sourced materials when possible, design for energy efficiency, and minimize site disruption. It's all connected.